That your newspaper reports on Walloon news, it was not new …
No, nothing new under the sun. Before me it was Steven Samyn who followed the French -speaking parties. His departure from the newspaper in 2010 was an opportunity for me to take over the torch at a crucial moment. Relations between Flanders and Wallonia were then very tense. Succeeding the Government Verhofstadt III, the Leterme I government is that of the endless community discussions. On the other hand, what is new is that I estimated that, to explore Wallonia in its smallest corners, I needed a vehicle. I got it.
How was your work different from that of colleagues who preceded you?
From the start, I insisted that it was important to follow all the Walloon parties. Taking the time to get to know Wallonia was essential for me. I looked like a central-grooves crisscrosing the Walloon roads in all directions. From my village of Kessel (ivy), I headed for Marche-en-Famenne before going to Mons. Same, the next day, to go to Bastogne, to Vresse-sur-Semois, in Liège or Tournai. The report completed, written, sent, it was still necessary to return, late at night.
You had, fifteen years ago, a good command of French ?
I had rudimentary knowledge in French. I learned French at school, but I did not master political jargon. What to do? Before making a call to a political figure, I used to note certain technical words on a sheet. These were landmarks that I slipped during the conversation.
A Flemish journalist testifies: “What I saw in Gembloux in 2020 gave me cold sweats. I even felt a little … guilty”
Is it complicated to put Walloon subjects at the Standaard agenda?
My employer gave me carte blanche, he trusted me. This freedom is the key to credible information. My priority in Wallonia has always been to favor the field and tell what its actors have to say.
What lessons do you learn from your Walloon experience ?
There are several. Above all, I got to know a culture that is not mine. There are different habits. In Wallonia, people say hello. In Flanders, it is much less frequent. Most often, we meet without greeting each other. It’s not that we don’t want to, but we don’t do it. In Wallonia, a meeting often starts with a little delay. So what? Walloon entrepreneurs show less this desire that some Flemings have to conquer the world. In the end, there is always one that says aloud what others think low. Like: Well, that’s enough! We’re not going to spend the night there …
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Do you feel that Wallonia has changed over the years?
Politically, Wallonia has changed enormously. In 2010, the PS was no longer at its peak, the party lost its feathers. But there was still a major political force. Subsequently, the decline accelerated, in particular aggravated by the publifin and Samusocial affairs.
In the 2024 elections, this leveling continued then, that in the left, the PTB, which came from afar, became a party that counts. He kept growing. I remember the first two elected officials of the PTB in the Walloon Parliament. The first was a plumber by trade, the second was a trade unionist. To everyone’s surprise, this training leapped forward while the committed (ex-CDH), from a moribund party from which Maxime Prevot inherited, experienced an unexpected rise. Prévot has a clear vision, he is enthusiastic, he knew how to convince his team to rebuild the party from top to bottom.
Do you think Wallonia is in better posture today than in 2010 ?
Jean-Claude Marcourt (PS) told me one day that Wallonia will never be as powerful, rich and prosperous as Flanders. He also claimed that the idea of catching up with Flanders is a false good idea. Yes, Wallonia can and must gain points in terms of growth. On the other hand, it was necessary to stop continuously comparing Wallonia in Flanders.
What are the ingredients of success to be a good permanent correspondent in Wallonia of the Standaard ?
Be where you don’t expect. You have to be present during major political meetings. To probe the Walloon soul, you have to meet local elected officials in medium -sized cities or municipalities in rural areas. We are then in a small committee, between us and … me. Languages are delighted, masks fall, the back of the decor appears in the open.
